For spring training, be sure to mark these games on your calendar

Get the spring cleaning done early this year, because the MLB spring-training season starts soon and, after a very eventful offseason, will lead off what should be a very entertaining baseball season.

Fifiteen teams call Florida their spring training home, and fans can get an early look at some of the season's prime storylines as MLB teams face off for the first time beginning March 3 and running through April 4. Since you can't make every game, we've take the time to highlight some of the more noteworthy matchups.

On March 4, start the season with two powerhouse organizations when the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees play in Tampa. The Phillies will not have slugger Ryan Howard back from his Achilles injury, but they can still nail in some runs, as can the Yankees. The game will likely feature ace pitcher Roy Halladay for the Phillies, and either C.C. Sabathia or Ivan Nova for the Yankees.

On March 5, the new-look Miami Marlins and the Pujols-less St. Louis Cardinals play in a shared stadium in Jupiter. The Marlins have revamped their organization by bringing in Manager Ozzie Guillen, shortstop Jose Reyes and some new arms to the pitching rotation. The defending-champion Cardinals are led by World Series MVP David Freese.

The New York Mets pay a visit to the former Met and snowbird shortstop Reyes, when the Marlins and Mets play in Port St. Lucie on March 8. Always a heated rivalry, this game got more interesting when Reyes went South. Meanwhile, the Mets and third baseman David Wright look to prove that they can contend without the All-Star shortstop.

The Phillies and Detroit Tigers headline another must-see matchup in Lakeland on March 9. The Tigers' lineup features Prince Fielder, who signed a $214 million, 9-year deal this offseason. The Tigers are coming off a very successful season and, now with Fielder, are strong contenders in the American League.

The Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves play in Lake Buena Vista on March 14. The Nats are hoping to return to the postseason for the first time in 30 years. To get the job done, they acquired pitching help during the offseason and third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is back from injury and should supply a spark to Washington's offense. The Braves return much of their 2011 roster, and hope that the chemistry of the talented group led by slugger Dan Uggla will propel them into the postseason after missing out last year.

The Cardinals face the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers on March 15. Both teams look much different than when they played in the 2004 World Series. The Cardinals are without Pujols and the Red Sox are now led by Manager Bobby Valentine.

Is it illegal to leave the Red Sox and Yankees off any list of must-see games? We won't find out. This classic and intense rivalry always makes for an entertaining matchup. The Yankees are coming off a division title and the Red Sox would like to take the belt away from their hated foes this season. This primetime matchup will be aired on ESPN, but there is nothing like witnessing this rivalry in person. If visiting New York or Boston is out of the question, you may want to take advantage of these teams playing a little closer to home in Fort Myers on March 22.

Two days after facing the Red Sox, the Yankees face the daunting lineup of the Tigers. Want to see a slugfest? Search no further than this matchup in Lakeland on March 24.

A heated rivalry at the happiest place on Earth? We're not fooling. Check out the Braves and Phillies on April Fools' Day, April 1, at Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. This is a matchup worth paying attention to, as these teams will be in the hunt for the National League East division title in 2012.

The Marlins and Yankees meet in a highly-anticipated matchup on April 1 and April 2 in Miami. Ozzie Guillen was an assistant coach for the Florida Marlins in 2003, when they defeated the Yankees in the World Series. Since then, Guillen has encountered the Yankees many times as manager of the Chicago White Sox and now makes his return to the Marlins for his next encounter with the pinstripes. Get your tickets for this one soon.